The Golden Ratio in Nature, Art & the Cosmos

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This enigmatic and unique ratio was referred to by Euclid as the 'extreme and mean division' of a line. It features prominently within the natural world of growth such as in flowers, microscopic sea organisms and even our own DNA spiral. It also indirectly expresses itself through the so-called 'Fibonacci sequence' where simple whole numbers can be used in relationship to approximate what is ultimately an inexpressible ratio.

This practical art course will concentrate on the drawing of geometric golden ratio patterns from different spiritual traditions. It will also focus on various intriguing and beautiful geometric diagrams that can help the inquisitive student to ponder the spiritual meaning of this ideal mathematical relationship. All of this will be accompanied by regular slideshows consisting of beautiful images of the golden ratio in nature, art and the cosmos.

Tutor biography

Tom Bree

Tom Bree is a geometer-artist, teacher and writer. He completed his M.A. at the School in 2003 and has since been researching and teaching in the area of geometry and symbolism. Tom has been teaching on the Open and M.A. programmes since 2008 and also organises his own geometry courses both in the UK and abroad. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies at the School in which he is analysing the underlying geometric design of Wells Cathedral in Somerset.